Sri Lanka airport closes after rebel attack
Monday, 26 Mar 2007 10:58
Sri Lanka's international airport was closed briefly yesterday following an air attack on a nearby military airbase.
Colombo International Airport was shut down for less than two hours because an air attack by the Tamil Tiger rebel group.
"Flights that had already arrived in Sri Lanka are scheduled to leave shortly for their destinations and those that were diverted to Chennai, Trivandrum and Male are expected to return to Colombo within the next few hours," the Sri Lanka Tourist Board said in a statement early this morning.
A special telephone line has been set up for tour operators, hotels and holidaymakers in Sri Lanka following the attack - 2437759 and 2437061. The numbers are expected to be operational throughout today.
"No passengers or tourists have been hurt in any way at the airport, as the incident took place at an air force base away from the airport's civil passenger terminals," the tourist board added.
Foreign Office advice remains unchanged following the attack. For the latest travel advice on visiting Sri Lanka see
www.fco.gov.uk